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Court continues services for Morales children, schedules next compliance hearing
Summary
At a remote compliance hearing in a services case, the Department reported the mother has completed some parenting classes and begun counseling; a low-level positive marijuana screen and a separate parent-child incident were discussed. The court kept services in place and set a follow-up compliance hearing for Oct. 7.
A court conducted a compliance hearing in a services case involving children Aaliyah, Robert and Zaden Morales and continued services for the family while setting another review for Oct. 7 on the 9:00 docket. The hearing was held by videoconference and the Department of Child Protective Services presented the update.
The Department reported that the children remain in the home and that the mother, Britney Mireles, has been participating in required services. "She is currently enrolled in parenting classes. I did confirm as of last week. She has completed 3 of those," Department representative Sherry Hughes said. Hughes also reported the mother had begun counseling and that the family's counselor is a licensed chemical dependency counselor who can address substance use.
The Department told the court it had a positive urine drug screen for the mother on June 20 for marijuana; Hughes described the result as low on the UA. The Department also described an incident on June 26 between the mother and the eldest child, Aaliyah, that resulted in law enforcement involvement and Aaliyah’s short-term placement at the High Plains youth center; Hughes said Aaliyah was released from that facility on June 30. The Department said Aaliyah (14) and the mother are now seeing the same therapist and that the agency is addressing communication and anger management in the home through services including Texas Family First.
Reporters for the children and other Department staff described the children’s school and health status. Hughes said Aaliyah completed summer school and will advance in grade placement in August. She said Robert (11) and Zaden (10) are attending public school without educational concerns. Hughes reported the home appeared clean and that the children’s participation with services had been "really good." She also noted that the mother is working full time at Denny’s and that housing is an ongoing struggle; the Department has arranged resources for clothing and school supplies.
The court distinguished discussion items from formal orders. The Department recommended continued in-home services and monitoring; the judge continued services and scheduled a compliance hearing for Oct. 7 at 9:00 a.m., noting the case could be dismissed earlier if the parties and the Department recommend it. The judge asked that the mother be congratulated for progress on services.
No statutes or ordinances were cited during this hearing. The Department and both attorneys confirmed the parties would continue to work toward compliance and additional referrals for housing or counseling as needed.
The court adjourned the matter and will reconvene on Oct. 7 unless the parties file paperwork seeking dismissal before that date.
